Information paper

Thunderstorm Asthma for Pharmacists

A flowchart for pharmacy to help identify and advise at-risk patients.

This resource for pharmacists has been designed as a handy tool to identify and advise at-risk patients on thunderstorm asthma.

Certain types of thunderstorms in spring or early summer in regions with high grass pollen concentrations in the air can cause life-threatening allergic asthma flare-ups in sensitised individuals, even if they have not had asthma before. Epidemic thunderstorm asthma can occur when such a storm travels across a region and triggers asthma in many susceptible individuals at once.

The flowchart for the pharmacy provides evidence-based guidance on identifying and advising patients who are requesting medicines for asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Acknowledgements

Developed in consultation with Dr Jenny Gowan, pharmacist and Toni Riley, pharmacist and based on our related information paper.

The National Asthma Council Australia independently developed this resource with support from the Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services.

Ordering

Printed copies of our resources including this information paper can be ordered through our online order system.

Correction (26 Sept 2017)

Please note: the online version of this resource has been updated.

Disclaimer

Although all care has been taken, this information paper is only a general guide; it is not a substitute for assessment of appropriate courses of treatment on a case-by-case basis. The National Asthma Council Australia expressly disclaims all responsibility (including negligence) for any loss, damage or personal injury resulting from reliance on the information contained.

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